Making Halloween more inclusive for kids with food allergies
Candy is typically at the top of what kids love about Halloween, but many parents have to worry about food allergies.
Lisa Sterud, a Palm Desert resident, has her house all decked out in Halloween decorations. Among her decorations is a teal pumpkin, this is aimed at raising awareness about food allergies, including kids that have them in the festivities.
Sterud’s home is one of at least four households in the Coachella Valley signed up with the teal pumpkin project. The project offers nonfood treats alongside candy for kids when they trick or treat, like coloring books and glow sticks.
“It’s kind of fun for them to find something else in their bags or pumpkins that isn’t candy like when they get a toy or a ring or a pencil,” Sterud said.
According to the federal government, 1 in 13 children suffer from a food allergy. That’s nearly 6 million kids across the country.
Sterud says while her own children don’t have allergies, she knows some of their classmates do, making it a good learning experience for them.
“I explain to him that some kids can’t have candy and a lot of the candies that are produced have nuts and dairy and wheat,” Sterud said.
She hopes other households will participate to make the holiday more fun for all kids planning to dress up.
“I want kids to be kids and have fun and have great memories and participate, especially in such a fun holiday and be able to go out and show their costumes,” Sterud said.
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